Kicking off 2026, Dirt Dogs Theatre Co. (DDTCo.) presents Venus in Fur written by David Ives and directed by Malinda L. Beckham. Drawing inspiration from Leopold von Sacher-Masoch’s 1870 Marchella Venus in Furs, Ives’ provocative and dark play is an exploration of power dynamics, control, and sexuality.
ABOUT THE PLAY
Thomas is a playwright searching for the perfect actress to portray Vanda in his stage adaptation of Venus in Furs. As the evening wears on, a mysterious and unconventional woman, ironically named Vanda, arrives for her audition. Not only is she late, she also appears far from the ideal candidate Thomas had in mind. As the audition unfolds, Vanda’s performance takes an unexpected turn, blurring the lines between the script and reality. Through their interactions, the boundaries between the characters and the actors collapse, forcing both Thomas and Vanda to confront the complexities of their desires and the darker sides of human nature.
Dirt Dogs Theatre Co. “Venus in Fur” runs Feb. 27 through March 14. (Submitted photo)
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT
David Ives has been active in the American theatre for 50 years. His plays include All in the Timing, Time Flies, Venus in Fur, New Jerusalem: The Interrogation of Baruch de Spinoza, and four verse adaptations of French comedies, as well as radio plays available online at PlayingOnAir.org. He collaborated with Stephen Sondheim on Sondheim’s last musical, Here We Are, which premiered off-Broadway at The Shed in September 2023.
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
On staging this production, Artistic Director, Malinda L. Beckham says, “The story’s exploration of dominance and submission, as well as its blurring of the lines between fantasy and reality, resonates deeply in today’s conversations about consent and gender dynamics. The play’s sharp wit, layered characters, and psychological intensity make it both thrilling and thought-provoking.”
The cast of Venus in Fur includes Olivia Knight as Vanda and Jay Sullivan as Thomas. The creative team is comprised of Mark A. Lewis on scenic design and technical director, John Baker for lighting design, Trevor B. Cone for sound design and production manager, Malinda L. Beckham for costume and properties design, Barbara Alicea-Aponte as production stage manager, and Valerie Lerma Puente as assistant stage manager.
WHEN
Feb. 27 – March 14, 2026
PERFORMANCES
Preview
Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026
Opening night
Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 (followed by a champagne reception)
Evenings
8 p.m. | Fridays & Saturdays, Feb 27 & 28 and March 6, 7, 13 & 14
7:30 p.m. | Thursdays, March 5 & 12
7:30 p.m. | Monday, March 9
Matinees
2 p.m. | Sundays, March 1 & 8
WHERE
MATCH – Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston
Matchbox 1, The Emily Todd Theater, 3400 Main St., Houston, TX 77002
BOX OFFICE
713.521.4533 | https://matchouston.org/events/2026/venus-fur
TICKETS
Single tickets, $35
Preview, Matinees, and Industry Monday are “Pay What You Can”